As a grandfather, nothing brings me more joy than my grandkids. The little ones are a constant reminder of how precious life truly is. My respect for life led me to see what Indiana is doing to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

Too often we hear stories of newborn abandonment with tragic outcomes. According to the Ambulance Medical Technician Children of Hope Foundation, there are roughly 200 abandoned newborns each year throughout the nation. We never want to see these sad headlines, and my heart aches for any parent who feels that they cannot care for their newborn.

All 50 states have what is known as a Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to anonymously relinquish an infant without fear of arrest or prosecution. Under Indiana law, a parent, family member, friend, social worker, minister, priest or any responsible adult may give up custody of a baby less than 30 days old to a hospital emergency room, fire station or police station. The law has served to save the lives of 13 babies in Indiana.

However, since the law’s inception in 2000, Safe Haven Indiana reported that still yet, another 13 babies’ lives were lost because they were improperly abandoned. Currently, if a parent wishes to abandon their child, he or she must walk into an emergency provider facility. For some, the situation is so overwhelming they choose to abandon their child in an otherwise unsafe environment.

In an effort to expand upon Indiana’s Safe Haven law, I co-authored House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1016 this session with the intent of beginning a conversation about the installation of newborn safety incubators, which are temperature controlled devices that lock and notify authorities as soon as a child is placed inside. These incubators provide a safe and completely anonymous method for a parent to relinquish their child.

This summer, the Legislature will study standards and protocols for these devices, and then report their findings before the General Assembly convenes in 2016. These issues are very sensitive and require a great deal of thoughtful consideration and planning before they become law. I am encouraged that the study committee will thoroughly vet this concept to ensure that the incubators provide a life-saving alternative for parents in desperation.

The introduction of newborn safety incubators, along with targeted awareness of the law, could help curtail newborn abandonments in Indiana. Certainly, we will continue to promote options available to parents in difficult situations before they ever have to consider utilizing a newborn safety incubator. While we might not be able to reach everyone in this difficult situation, we can focus our efforts and look for positive alternatives to abandonment, which could help save a life.

To learn more about HEA 1016 and newborn safety incubators, visit iga.in.gov.

Zoeller’s leadership team also earns high honors

INDIANAPOLIS – The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) honored Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller with its 2015 Kelley-Wyman Award, also known as “Attorney General of the Year” Award during its annual conference.

The Kelley-Wyman Award is the association’s highest honor given each year to the state attorney general who exemplifies and helps forward the objectives of NAAG. It is named in honor of former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley and former New Hampshire Attorney General Louis Wyman.

“Greg (Zoeller) certainly demonstrates the collegial and collaborative efforts that NAAG strives to facilitate among its membership,” said Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the outgoing president of NAAG, during the award presentation. “He has distinguished himself among his peers by consistently advancing the direction, leadership and purpose of NAAG.”

AG Hood recognized Zoeller’s numerous leadership roles within NAAG. Zoeller serves as chair of the NAAG Midwestern Region and is a member of the NAAG Executive Committee. He is also chair of the Tobacco Committee and Federalism/Preemption Committee, as well as an active member of the Consumer Protection, Human Trafficking, and Training committees.

“It is an honor to receive this award from my fellow state attorneys general,” Zoeller said. “The training, collaboration and resources NAAG facilitates is instrumental to my work as attorney general of Indiana and has helped me and my staff immensely in defending and protecting Hoosiers. It has been a worthwhile endeavor to work cooperatively with our national association that serves consumers in our state and other states.”

Zoeller was selected to receive this award by a committee of state attorneys general. As one attorney general noted in a recommendation, “Greg Zoeller represents the highest examples of an attorney’s general sense of justice, fairness and strength.”

Zoeller’s leadership staff was also honored by NAAG this year. Staci Schneider, Chief of Staff for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, received the Senior Staff of the Year Award. This award is given each year to a management-level AG staff member who has provided exceptional service to NAAG and the attorneys general through exemplary leadership, expertise and achievement.

“Staci is a modest force in the AG community, and a capable manager and leader,” said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden during the award presentation. “Since she started in her chief of staff role in 2009, Staci’s professionalism, communications expertise, and strategic planning have had a significant and far-reaching impact not only in her office, but also within NAAG.”

Schneider previously served as Communications Director in former Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter’s administration before becoming Chief of Staff for AG Zoeller’s office.

NAAG represents 56 state and territorial attorneys general. This year’s awards were presented during its annual Summer Meeting, held June 16-18.